ASHBURN, Va. -- Intrigue is part of the special package with Robert Griffin III, the rock star quarterback with the brace supporting his surgically-repaired right knee.

The buzz factor, when combined with breathtaking skill, adds so much value.

So it seemed quite fitting on Monday, as Washington hit the practice field to prepare for the regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles next Monday night, that there was some mystery attached to RG3.

After Monday's practice, when Griffin lined up with the first unit and had no setbacks, Shanahan was adamant in proclaiming that Andrews' fingerprints are not on the playbook.

He also seemed a bit taken aback when pressed about the concerns.

"I think we told you from Day 1 that Robert was going to be our starter, unless there was a setback," he said.

Is Shanahan playing mind games with the Eagles?

Andrews contradicted Shanahan in a text-message to The Washington Post on Friday, saying that he had no concerns about Griffin's return.

Yet with the doubt cast by the coach, maybe the Eagles spent an extra few minutes reviewing that third-and-long videotape cut-up of backup quarterback Kirk Cousins.

It would seem odd that Andrews would clear Griffin if there were any concerns -- especially given the criticism that flowed from the mysterious manner in which Griffin was allowed to continue playing during the playoff game in January, before his knee buckled.

There's even more scrutiny now on the return-to-play process.

Besides, if, as speculated, Andrews cleared Griffin with concerns about how he might be used in an offense with read-option packages, it would blur the line between medical practice and playbook doctrine like something awful.

Can you imagine these doctor's orders?

No quarterback sneaks.

Never call a rollout sprinting left if the weakside safety is in the box.

Make sure that Santana Moss is the hot receiver versus a cross blitz in the red zone.

Shanahan flatly dismissed the theory that Griffin will be limited, eight months post-op.

"If we didn't feel like Robert was full-go and he wasn't ready to play and do all the things that you ask a guy to do, then he would not be playing in this game," Shanahan said. "We believe he can do everything that a quarterback is asked to do, and if that's sprinting out, if it's running the option, if it's dropping back, we think he can do all those things because he's proved it to us in practice and there hasn't been a setback."

Griffin wasn't made available to the media on Monday, but with his "Operation Patience" mission complete, one might suspect that he is eager to prove that he's still the electric player that led his team to a division title as a rookie.

Remember, a few weeks ago the kid was talking about playing in preseason.

Still, neither Shanahan nor Griffin should need any specific orders from the doctor to manage the return of a player who might be the face of the NFL for years.

Easy does it.

Shanahan needs to continue the pattern exhibited in 2012 when they exposed Griffin less in read-option situations as the season progressed -- 50 of his 120 rushes were on scrambles and the injuries didn't occur on options.

Griffin needs to protect himself from risk, which can be difficult in the heat of the moment but involves sliding, running out of bounds and opting not to fight for the extra yard when it doesn't matter.